Newton Public Library will present “Connected Citizens,” a five-part series on civic issues and engagement, on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. from Sept. 14 through Oct. 12.
The series brings speakers from advocacy organizations, government and academia to the library for talks on voting rights, misinformation, the legislative process, redistricting and local elections. Each session is free and open to the public.
Sept. 14: “Legislative Attacks on Voting Rights: A Snapshot of Harvey County.” Logan DeMond, director of policy and research at the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, will discuss recent voting legislation and its effects in Harvey County. DeMond joined the ACLU in July 2025 after serving as legislative director for the Kansas House Democrats and House Minority Leader Vic Miller. He began his political career as deputy campaign manager for former Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple and has worked with over 100 municipal and state legislative candidates across Kansas. A graduate of Larned High School and Bethel College, he holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts, history and political science.
Sept. 21: “Misinformation in the Age of AI.” Jennifer Durham, enrichment librarian for adult literacies at Wichita Public Library, will address how artificial intelligence is changing the spread of false information and what readers can do to evaluate sources. Durham has held her position since 2021 and holds a master’s degree in library and information science from Wayne State University.
Sept. 28: “Connecting with the Legislature: How to Elevate Your Voice in Kansas.” Heather Braum, senior policy advisor at Kansas Action for Children, will explain how Kansans can reach and influence their lawmakers. Braum lobbies on children’s health at the state and federal levels, focusing on Medicaid, CHIP, immunization and maternal health policy. She serves on the Kansas Maternal and Child Health Council and spent more than a decade working in libraries and technology before entering advocacy.
Oct. 5: “The Redistricting Wars and the 2026 Elections.” Brian Amos, associate professor of political science at Wichita State University, will discuss redistricting and its bearing on this year’s elections. Amos studies election science and the geography of election administration, and co-directs WSU’s IKE Lab, which collects and publishes data on Kansas elections.
Oct. 12: “Local Elections: Why They Matter and How to Run.” Chip Westfall, former Harvey County Commissioner, and Rick Piepho, Harvey County Clerk, will walk through the mechanics of running for local office.
Image by Tony Webster used under a Creative Commons license.
